Devotion to Christ cannot be less than whole-hearted (Discipleship is not periodic volunteer work on one's own terms and at one's convenience", R. J. Karris, cited in Talbert, p. 203).

Jesus was 'calling not for spectators but for recruits.' When he called men to follow him, he meant them not to tag along behind him out of curiosity, but to throw in their lot with him in commitment. (Wilcock, 1979).